Preamble

The House met at Twelve of the Clock, Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair.

PRIVATE LEGISLATION PROCEDURE (SCOTLAND) ACT, 1899.

Return ordered,
of all the Draft Provisional Orders under the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act, 1899, which in the Session a 1926 have been reported on by the Commissioners; together with the names of the Commissioners; the first and also the last day of the sittings of each group; the number of days on which each body of Commissioners sat; the number of days on which each Commissioner has served; the number of days occupied by each Draft Provisional Order before Commissioners; the Draft Provisional Orders the Preambles of which were reported to have been proved; and the Draft Provisional Orders the Preambles of which were reported to have been not proved:
And also a Statement showing how all Draft Provisional Orders of the Session of 1926 have been dealt with."—[Sir John Gilmour.]

Oral Answers to Questions — RHINELAND (ALLIED TROOPS).

Mr. W. THORNE: 3.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the policy of the Government with regard to the withdrawal of Allied military forces from the Rhineland?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Austen Chamberlain): If the hon. Member is referring to an earlier withdrawal than that provided for in Article 429 of the Treaty of Versailles, I can only say that the policy of His Majesty's Government in this matter continues to be governed by the conditions laid down in Article 431 of the Treaty. Apart from this, the question is one in which His Majesty's Government are acting in consultation
with the other Governments whose troops are in occupation of the Rhineland.

Mr. THORNE: Would it not be better if joint representations could be made for the withdrawal of all military forces from the Rhineland? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this would create a better feeling between the different countries and the Germans?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN: If the troops are to be withdrawn before the time fixed by the Treaty, it can only be as a result of an arrangement between the occupying Powers and the German authorities, to which arrangement the German Government would be willing to contribute their share.

Mr. OLIVER: Will the right hon. Gentleman initiate proceedings with this object, and try to persuade the other Powers to take this action?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN: The matter has been the subject of discussion between the representatives of the different Powers, but time is required for steps of this kind, and not merely time, but the active co-operation of the Government of Germany with the other Governments, to find a solution.

Oral Answers to Questions — FALKLAND FILM.

Colonel DAY: 5.
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what bookings have been received to the last convenient date for the film Falkland?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Bridgeman): I am unable to give any information.

Colonel DAY: As the First Lord has stated that the Admiralty are financially interested in this film, does he not think that the Admiralty ought to have some information as to their income?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN: The arrangement is in the hands of the commercial people who are arranging the film. We do not interfere in that.

Colonel DAY: As the Admiralty are financially interested, is it not possible for them to know exactly what is taking place, so that they can know what their financial commitments are?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN: We know that we cannot lose anything by it, and we may gain something.

Captain WEDGWOOD BENN: Does the right hon. Gentleman allege that it is in the public interest that ho is withholding this information from the House of Commons?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN: No, Sir.

Captain BENN: No.

Oral Answers to Questions — UNEMPLOYMENT.

CHEMICAL TRADES.

Mr. KELLY: 10.
asked the Minister of Labour the number of workpeople registered at Employment Exchanges as unemployed from the chemical trade in the months of October, 1924, October, 1925, and October, 1926?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton): The number of persons classified as belonging to the chemicals industry, and recorded at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain as unemployed at 25th October, 1926, was 11,219, as compared with 9,346 at 26th October, 1925, and 8,615 at 27th October, 1924.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS: Are the figures based on the classification made last year or on the earlier classification?

Mr. BETTERTON: I think they are based on the classification of last July, but I am not quite sure.

PLAIN NET AND LACE TRADE.

Mr. KELLY: 11.
asked the Minister of Labour the number of workpeople registered at Employment Exchanges in October, 1926, as unemployed from the plain net and lace trade in Derby, Nottingham, Long Eaton, Somerset and Devon?

Mr. BETTERTON: The numbers of persons classified as belonging to the lace industry recorded as unemployed at 25th October, 1926, in the areas in question were as follow:


Derby
…
…
…
103


Nottingham
…
…
…
885


Long Eaton
…
…
…
525


Somerset
…
…
…
65


Devon
…
…
…
173

Mr. OLIVER: Has the Department any figures to show that the inclusion of this industry under the Safeguarding of Industries Act has brought any material advantage to the particular districts mentioned?

Mr. BETTERTON: No, Sir, but I think that had it not been for that Act, the figures would have been much larger.

Mr. KELLY: Do the figures include plain net as well as lace?

Mr. BETTERTON: I think so, but I should need to verify that statement. I think it includes both.

Mr. HARRIS: Are we to assume that Tariff Reform means work for all"?

BENEFIT DISALLOWED.

Mr. BARKER: 12.
asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Edward Jones, of 87, Bournville Road, Blaina, has been employed as a clerk in the Blaina Employment Exchange; that Jones was discharged in January, 1926; that he has been refused unemployment benefit; and will he have this case investigated with a view to benefit being granted?

Mr. BETTERTON: I am having inquiries made into this case, and will let the hon. Member know the result in due course.

Mr. BARKER: 13.
asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that John David, 25, Florence Road, Treowen, Newbridge, Mon., has been refused unemployment benefit; that he has been employed as a stoker at North Celynen Colliery at fixed periods during the coal stoppage; that he has always been available for work during the stoppage; that during certain periods of the stoppage he has been unemployed; that he is an ex-service man, with only a small disability pension to maintain his wife and family; and will he have this claim for unemployment benefit considered at the earliest moment?

Mr. BETTERTON: I am having inquiries made, and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

Mr. BARKER: Arising out of the answers to this question and question No. 12, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he can expedite this business? I have had a number of cases in his office, and I am, waiting for a reply very anxiously, and so are the applicants.

Mr. BETTERTON: Yes, I will do my best to see that there is no undue delay, but the hon. Member must realise that I received notice of this case only the day before yesterday.

BLANESBURGH COMMITTEE.

Mr. BUCHANAN: 14.
asked the Minister of Labour when the Report of the Blanesburgh Committee will be issued?

Mr. BETTERTON: I have every hope that the Report will be issued early in the New Year.

GLASGOW.

Mr. BUCHANAN: 15.
asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons at present unemployed in Glasgow, the number of male and female workers affected, and the figures for the same period in Glasgow in 1924 and 1925?

NUMBER of Persons on the Registers of Employment Exchanges in the Glasgow area.


Date.
Men.
Boys.
Women.
Girls.
Total.


6th December, 1926*
…
…
…
68,752
2,658
9,609
1,865
82,884


7th December, 1925
…
…
…
59,595
1,907
11,136
1,552
74,190


8tb December, 1924
…
…
…
55,951
2,231
14,422
1,734
74,338


*The figures are exclusive of persons in the coal-mining industry in respect of whom there was a disqualification for unemployment benefit under the trade dispute provisions.

Oral Answers to Questions — ROYAL AIR FORCE.

COOKE,SCHILOVSKY TURN INDICATOR.

Colonel DAY: 17.
asked the Secretary of State for Air the results of the tests of the gyroscopic fog-guide device; and whether any of these instruments have been ordered by the Ministry?

The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare): On the assumption that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the Cooke-Schilovsky Turn Indicator, recently referred to in the Press, the answer to the first part of the question is that this instrument has undergone satisfactory tests, and to the second part, that arrangements are being made to order a number for extended service trials and for training purposes.

Colonel DAY: Will these instruments be made in Great Britain?

Sir S. HOARE: I could not reply without notice, but I think it is the case that they will be so made.

Mr. BETTERTON: As the reply involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. BUCHANAN: Can the hon. Gentleman state whether the numbers for 1924 or those for 1926 are the greater?

Mr. BETTERTON: I can give those figures at once. In 1926, exclusive of persons in the coal-mining industry, the total was 82,884, and in December, 1924, the figure was 74,338.

Mr. BUCHANAN: Does that not prove that the Conservative Government have brought unemployment to the workers in that industry?

Following is the statement promised:

FLYING ACCIDENTS (FRANCE AND EXGLAND).

Colonel DAY: 18.
asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of officers and men of the Royal Air Force killed in flying accidents during each of the three years preceding the last convenient date, together with the number of fatal accidents in the French Air Force during the same period?

Sir S. HOARE: The figures as regards the Royal Air Force during the 12 months ending 9th December in each of the years named were as follow: 1926: 46 officers, 2 cadets, 28 airmen; 1925: 40 officers and 11 airmen; 1924: 48 officers, 1 cadet and 23 airmen. In addition the following naval, military or civilian personnel were involved in fatal accidents to Royal Air Force machines:—In 1926, 7; 1925, 4; 1924, 2. As regards the French Air Force, according to my information statistics of the number of fatal accidents are not made public by the French authorities. I may say, however, that in the course of a debate in the Chamber,
at the end of November, it was stated that there had been 13 fatal accidents in the French Military Air Service on a single type of machine in the space of two months. Whilst this, no doubt, represents an exceptional period such as all air services must experience from time to time, it is apparent from this fact and other confidential information in my possession that figures which have recently been cited in this House purporting to suggest that the accident rate in France has, during the past two or three years, been more favourable than in this country, are totally inaccurate.

Colonel GRETTON: 45.
asked the Prime Minister if an independent inquiry, with a chairman not connected with the Air Force, will be set up immediately with full powers to investigate and report upon all the circumstances connected with flying accidents, both fatal and non-fatal, which have occurred recently in the Royal Air Force?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin): No, Sir. As I informed the House last Thursday, I am satisfied that every possible precaution is being taken, and an inquiry of the kind proposed would, in my view, serve no useful purpose.

LERWICK OBSER VATORY.

Sir GEORGE BERRY: 19.
asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that orders have been issued by the Meteorological Office that all meteorological work at the Lerwick Observatory is to be stopped on 31st December; if the opinion of the Scottish Advisory Committee has been asked as to the proposed stoppage: if so, what opinion has been given by the Committee; if he will state what are the reasons for the stoppage of observational work; and if he will consider whether it would be possible for the order to be held in abeyance until a Report on the matter has been received from the Scottish Advisory Committee?

Sir S. HOARE: As the answer is somewhat long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir ROBERT HAMILTON: Is it intended to close this station?

Sir S. HOARE: I could not say without notice.

Following is the to the Question on the paper:

My hon. Friend is, apparently, under a misapprehension. Orders have been given for the meteorofogical work at the observatory to he reduced, not stopped, on 1st January next. Assuming that the references in the various parts of his question to a proposed stoppage are read as references to the proposed reduction, I can answer them as follows:

The answer to the first two parts of the question is ill the affirmative; to the third that the Committee concurred in the proposal. As regards the fourth part, the Lerwick Observatory was established primarily to supplement Eskdalemuir Observatory in recording terrestrial magnetism and to study the relationship between terrestrial magnetism and the aurora. The original programme of work at Lerwick Observatory included a considerable amount of purely meteorological work which had no bearing on the magnetic observations, and as this programme has proved too large for the staff of the observatory, and as there is another meteorological station, distinct from the observatory, at Lerwick, the meteorological work at the observatory is being suspended until the arrears have been disposed of and the amount of work which the staff can deal with has been determined. The last part of the question does not arise, the Scottish Advisory Committee having already concurred in the proposal.

Oral Answers to Questions — SCOTLAND.

ERBIBOF ESTATE (SALE).

Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR: 20.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Report of the arbiter in the Erribol sheep stock valuation has yet been received; and, if so, what is the amount of the valuation to be paid by the purchaser for the sheep stock?

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour): The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The amount declared by the arbiter to be the value of the sheep stock to be taken over by the purchaser is £9,388 11s.

Sir A. SINCLAIR: Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that for a sheep stock,
for which his Department seven years ago paid over £43,000, he has now received only a. little over £9,000?

Sir J. GILMOUR: The price of sheep has not remained stationary. It has dropped by 50 per cent during that period. Further than that, the sheep actually taken over by the present purchaser are not the total sheep stock of the property, nor do they represent the total number bought originally.

Sir A. SINCLAIR: Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman's figures that the price of sheep has fallen only 50 per cent., whereas the value received for this farm shows a falling of 500 per cent. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"] Well, a fall from £43,000 to £9,000, and is the right hon. Gentleman receiving the value for the sheep which ought to be received according to the usual practice?

Sir J. GILMOUR: As regards the question of the value of the sheep falling by 50 per cent., probably I am understating the fall in the value.

Sir A. SINCLAIR: In view of these facts, does not the right hon. Gentleman see that it is essential that full information should be afforded to the House, and that we should have the minutes of reference to the arbiter and the arbiter's Report as well, so as to understand the meaning of the extraordinary loss which has been made in this transaction by the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

Mr. SPEAKER: The hon. Member must not make a speech.

Mr. STEPHEN: 23.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the cost of the Erribof Estate, Sutherland, the cost of the stock taken over with the estate, the price at which the estate was sold, and the stock disposed of, respectively, when the decision was taken that the estate was unsuitable for small holdings?

Sir J. GILMOUR: As regards the first three parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave on the subject on the 11th and 16th November. With regard to the last part, I would refer him to the reply which I have given to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair), of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. STEPHEN: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a tremendous amount of dissatisfaction exists in connection with the disposal of this estate and stock; and will he consider setting up a Select Committee of this House to inquire into the matter?

Sir J. GILMOUR: No, Sir; certainly not.

Mr. MAXTON: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this transaction is dragging the Government into even greater contempt in Scotland?

Sir HARRY BRITTA IN: Would it not be better if all transactions of this kind were left to private enterprise?

Mr. JOHNSTON: Arising out of the original reply, can the right hon. Gentleman now say when he is prepared to place the arbiter's Report on the Table of the House.

Sir J. GILMOUR: I think it would be perfectly intolerable if every transaction in which the Board of Agriculture happens to be involved were to be treated in that way. I have answered every kind of question on the subject, have given the fullest information to the House and, as I have said, on the Scottish Estimates there will be an opportunity of discussing the subject further.

Mr. JOHNSTON: Did not the right hon. Gentleman promise to lay the arbiter's report on the Table when he received it; and as he has now received it, what reason is there for refusing to give the House this information?

Sir J. GILMOUR: I have no recollection of any promise to lay the arbiter's report on the table, and, as I say, I think it would be most undesirable if we were to deal with every transaction of this kind in this way.

Sir A. SINCLAIR: Having regard to the very serious and substantial loss of money involved in this transaction, cannot the right hon. Gentleman make any representation to the arbiter, as is often done in such circumstances, asking him to reconsider his award?

Sir J. GILMOUR: This was a business transaction, and the matter was referred to the arbiter by agreement between the two parties, and his arbitration is final.

PARISH BELIEF, GLASGOW.

Mr. STEPHEN: 21.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of men and women, respectively, at present in receipt of able-bodied parish relief in the City of Glasgow?

Sir J. GILMOUR: As the answer involves a statement of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The city of Glasgow which has a population of 1,034.174 is situated in several parishes, but the main portion is situated in the parishes of Glasgow and Govan, which have a total population of 968,195. In the parishes of Glasgow and Govan the number of able-bodied unemployed and miners' families in receipt of poor relief was:


At 15th May (including 44,635 wives and children)
62,980


At 15th November (including 40,251 wives and children)
59,052

The numbers at 15th May consist of: —



Men
16,507


Women (including 12,024 wives)
13,862


Children
32,611



62,980

Detailed information is not available at 15th November, but from such information as is available it may be stated that the numbers chargeable at that date consist of, approximately:


Men
16,950


Women (including 12,410 wives)
14,260


Children
27,842



59,052

WEIR HOUSES, GLASGOW.

Mr. STEPHEN: 22.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of Weir houses that have been built in the city of Glasgow and are ready for occupancy, and the number of such houses that are occupied?

Sir J. GILMOUR: At the 30th November, with the aid of State funds, 296 Weir houses had been built in Glasgow. Of these, 150 were ready for occupancy, and all were occupied.

SMALL HOLDINGS, ISLAND OF RUM.

Colonel DAY (for Mr. NEIL MAC-LEAN): 24.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, seeing that portions of the Island of Rum have been recommended by Royal Commissions for small holdings or small sheep farms, he will say whether any action has been taken by the Board of Agriculture to provide such small holdings or sheep farms; and how many are now existing or in process of being opened up?

Sir J. GILMOUR: The Board of Agriculture for Scotland has not received any applications for small holdings on the Island of Ruin, and no action has been taken by them with a view to the constitution of holdings thereon.

Oral Answers to Questions — WEST HAM GUARDIANS.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS: 26.
asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any report from the West Ham Board of Guardians; and, if so, whether any information as to their proceedings during the last six months can be laid before Parliament?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood): My right hon. Friend has received a report, and he will be pleased to present it to Parliament.

Mr. W. THORNE: Will that report deal with the charges of corruption or maladministration made against the late board of guardians?

Sir K. WOOD: I think the hon. Member had better await the report. It shows a very big saving of public money.

Mr. THORNE: Does it deal with the charges of maladministration or corruption against the late board of guardians? Such charges were made against them times without number.

Oral Answers to Questions — OLD AGE PENSIONS (REOULATIONS).

Mr. W. BAKER: 27.
asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the new Regulation whereby an invalid old age pensioner is required to have his or her signature in the book of vouchers
witnessed by a minister of religion or a doctor, in addition to possessing the official document certifying inability to apply for payment in person; whether he is aware that old persons who are not on the visiting list of ministers of religion are compelled to pay a doctor's fee in order to obtain the necessary signature; and whether, seeing that the new Regulation has been introduced as an official economy, he will increase the number of classes from which a competent witness may be drawn?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Ronald McNeill): Arrangements are under consideration which will remove the inconvenience to which the hon. Member refers.

Oral Answers to Questions — PRESERVATIVES ORDER.

Captain ARTHUR EVANS: 28.
asked the Minister of Health whether he has any statistics showing the extent to which stocks of commodities affected by the new Preservatives Order, Colning into force next January, are held by retail grocery firms; and whether, to enable these businesses, particularly in industrial districts affected by the recent troubles, to, dispose of their holdings, he will consider an extension of time wherein sales can be effected?

Sir K. WOOD: The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given to the hon. Member for the Waver- tree Division of Liverpool (Mr. Tinne) on Monday.

Captain EVANS: Is it not the case that that answer referred to particular kinds of stock. I wanted to know as to the effect upon stocks of all kinds.

Sir K. WOOD: Yes, but I think my hon. and gallant Friend will find that the answer stated that my right hon. Friend was suggesting to local authorities a course of procedure.

Oral Answers to Questions — MINISTRY OF HEALTH (DENTAL OFFICERS).

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL: 30.
asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to appoint regional
dental officers in connection with dental benefit treatment as administered by approved societies; whether it is intended that these appointments should be held only by registered dentists possessing a diploma recognised and registerable in this country; and, if not, whether he will give an assurance that practitioners holding these registerable diplomas will not come under the supervision of any regional dental officer not possessing these diplomas?

Sir K. WOOD: The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Applications for the posts have been invited by advertisement, which does not restrict applications to dentists holding any particular diploma. A Selection Committee has been set up, and, while no appointments have yet been made, my hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that every attention will be given to the considerations mentioned in the last part of his question.

Oral Answers to Questions — TINNED SALMON.

Mr. JOHNSTON: 31.
asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the conditions under which tinned salmon is packed by some American firms; whether he is aware that syphilitic and other unclean persons pack the salmon into tins with their hands, and that there is still no adequate inspection as to health and cleanliness; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the safety of the British working classes who consume this food?

Sir K. WOOD: My right hon. Friend has not received any reports as to the existence of the conditions mentioned in the question, and lie would be glad if the hon. Member would communicate to the Ministry of Health any information which may be in his possession.

Mr. JOHNSTON: Has the hon. Gentleman's Department no information regarding the report issued three years ago by the grand jury of Valdez, Alaska, and if he has seen any further report since declaring that the conditions are even worse than they were three years ago?

Sir K. WOOD: As I have said, my right hon. Friend has not received any report on the matter, and the hon. Member had better send me all the information which he has on the subject.

Sir H. BRITTAIN: Would not the best safeguard be to buy salmon canned in Canada?

Oral Answers to Questions — POLICE PAY, MONMOUTHSHIRE.

Sir F. HALL: 32.
asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the action of the Monmouthshire Standing Joint Committee in issuing instructions for the withholding by 50 per cent. in certain contingencies of the pay of the police under their control; and what action the Government propose to take to prevent the police force being penalised for carrying out their primary duty of protecting the public?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Captain Hacking): The answer to my hon. and gallant Friend's question appeared in the OFFICIAL REPORT this morning as a written answer, owing to an omission to notice that the question originally put down on the Order Paper for oral answer yesterday had been postponed by my hon. and gallant Friend until to-day. I regret any inconvenience caused to my hon. and gallant Friend owing to this oversight.

Oral Answers to Questions — STREET ACCIDENTS, GLASGOW.

Mr. BUCHANAN: 34.
asked the Minister of Transport the total number of accidents caused by motor traffic in the city of Glasgow during the past 12 months, and the number for the same period last year?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley): I regret that I have not the information asked for. I am making inquiries, however, to see what statistics are available, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

Mr. BUCHANAN: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the ever increasing number of fatal accidents in the streets of Glasgow, and the need for legislative action in this matter, and if so what action is he prepared to take?

Colonel ASHLEY: I hope that some provisions may be embodied in the Bill which it is proposed to introduce next Session.

Oral Answers to Questions — POST OFFICE.

CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS.

Mr. ALBERY: 35.
asked the Postmaster-General whether the Christmas mail arrangements will follow the same lines as last year?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Mitchell-Thomson): As regards administrative arrangements, the answer is generally in the affirmative. I have already stated, however, that it is not proposed to have a delivery on Sunday 26th, but to have a general delivery of letters and parcels on Boxing Day. I would appeal to the public to co-operate by paying special attention to the closing hours of posting for Christmas deliveries, which are, broadly speaking, early on the 22nd for parcels, and before noon on the 23rd for letters. The precise hours are intimated locally. If this co-operation is secured, I believe that arrangements will work satisfactorily; but I should add that no amount of precautionary arrangement can avert the consequences of late running of trains owing to fog or other causes.

EMPLOYÉS (HALF-PAY).

Mr. AMMON: 36.
asked the Postmaster-General the number of Post Office employés who were liable to be placed on half-pay due to sickness extending over a period of six months, and the percentage of employés actually placed on half-pay or on pension rate pay, during the last six months of 1925?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON: All established Post Office employés are liable to be placed on half-pay after a period of six months' continuous sick leave. 1 am unable to state the percentage of employés placed on half-pay or pension rate of pay in consequence of long continued illness during the second half of 1925, and the information could not be obtained without expense which I do not think would be justified.

DAMAGES AWARD, BIRMINGHAM.

Mr. W. THORNE: 37.
asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a woman at Birmingham has been awarded £3,000 damages and £149 special damages for injuries caused through being run down by a Post Office motor van; and whether it is the intention of the Government to accept liability for payment of the said damages?

Sir W. MITCHELL - THOMSON: Counsel's opinion is being taken as to the advisability of entering an appeal in this case on behalf of the defendant, who is a Post Office servant

Oral Answers to Questions — BRITISH ARMY.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN, ROTTERDAM.

Captain WATERHOUSE: 38.
asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an unidentified deaf-and-dumb man, suffering from loss of memory, is at present in hospital at Rotterdam and supposed to be a British soldier; and if any information is available?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans): I am aware of the case, but after exhaustive inquiries it has been established beyond all reasonable doubt that, although the man served in the British Army during the War, he is not a. British citizen. Further, the evidence available indicates that. his loss of memory is quite recent, and that this is not a case of the reappearance of a British soldier reported missing during the War.

Mr. BUCHANAN: In view of the fact that some people think that this man may be a relative of theirs, a view which seems to be common up and down the country, causing certain anxiety, could the right hon. Gentleman not get that report circulated in a fairly widespread fashion?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS: I hope the question asked and the answer given in the House will cause considerable publicity to the case. There have been a great many hopes raised in various people's minds that this man was one of their relatives, and I hope the inquiries that have been now answered will set doubts at rest.

Mr. BUCHANAN: In view of the fact that in Scotland one of the newspapers gave great publicity to this case, and that large numbers of people thought it might be a relative, can the right hon. Gentleman not approach the broadcasting authorities with a view to the information being broadcast over the wireless?

Mr. RAINE: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an independent person was in Rotterdam this last week-end, and that, after careful examination of
this soldier, he believes that he is a British subject? I can confirm what has been said about the mental anxiety of many women in this country in this connection, from knowledge of such cases in my own constituency.

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS: My information, of course, is based on inquiries made through the Foreign Office and the Consul, and so far as I know I have no reason whatever to doubt the information I have given in answer to this question.

"FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE" FILM.

Sir HENRY COWAN: 39.
asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office is granting facilities for the production of an American film portraying the life and work of Florence Nightingale by permitting British soldiers, in uniforms appropriate to the period of the Crimean War, to assist in the production of the film; whether he is aware that a film dealing with the work of this British heroine is being prepared for production by a British producing company; and whether, in view of the national character of this production, he can see his way to giving preference to British producers by granting such facilities to them rather than to a foreign producer?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS: The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that a British company has asked for facilities in connection with a film of this kind, and their proposals, when they reach me, will receive full consideration.

INEANTRY RECORD OFFICE, HAMILTON (MR. A. J. UNSWORTH).

Mr. KELLY: 40.
asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in connection with the introduction of grade 4 clerical rates of pay in the War Office out-stations, an increment of 2s 6d. per week was withheld from Mr. A. J. Unsworth, a clerk in the Infantry Record Office at Hamilton, from 1st April, 1925, to August, 1925, on the grounds that he had been promoted temporarily to deputy-superintending clerk during the financial year 1924–25; whether he is aware that clerks who had not been so promoted received the 2s. 6d. increment with effect
from 1st April, 1925; and whether he will issue instructions that Mr. Unsworth be granted the increment for the period stated, and so ensure to him equality of treatment as compared with the clerks whom he supervised up to 31st March, 1925?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS: As the answer is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply.

Under the Clerical Reorganisation Scheme, recently introduced for the clerical staff of War Department Outstation Offices, Mr. Unsworth was regraded as a Grade IV clerk, dated from 1st April, 1924. His regrading was effected in August, 1925, and in accordance with the provisions of the scheme he was then entitled to payment of the difference between the total amount he had actually received during the period from April, 1924, to August, 1925, and that to which he was entitled as a Grade IV clerk. But Mr. Unsworth had been paid as a deputy-superintending clerk from 1st April, 1924, to 31st March, 1925, and his actual total receipts for the period April, 1924, to August, 1925, were consequently in excess of the total amount to which he was entitled as a Grade IV clerk for the period. No payment of arreas was, therefore, due. The 2s. 6d. increment due from 1st April, 1925, was taken into account in calculating the total receipts to which he was entitled as a Grade IV clerk. His incremental date has remained unaffected.

Oral Answers to Questions — CHINA.

TANKS.

Mr. MARDY JONES: 41.
asked the Secretary of State for War how many tanks have been supplied to the Shanghai Municipal Council and on what dates; what were the conditions of their supply; and whether tanks have been supplied to any other localities in China?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS: No British tanks have been supplied to the Shanghai Municipal Council, or to anyone else in China.

SIR CHARLES HARINGTON (SPEECH).

Mr. MARDY JONES: 42.
asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the speech made by Lieut.-General Sir Charles Harington at York on 2nd December, in which he urged the issue of an ultimatum to China; whether this officer is General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command; whether, in expressing these views, General Harington is expressing official views; and, if not, whether he will take steps to restrain expressions of opinion such as these, which are likely to jeopardise our relations with China?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS: I have not seen a report of the speech referred to, but Sir Charles Harington informs me that he expressed no such view as is attributed to him in the first part of the question.

Mr. JONES: May I draw the attention of the right hon. Gentleman to the report in the "Daily Telegraph" to that effect, and if that report be correct, is it not desirable that the Government should make it clear that such expressions are not the official view of the Government?

Mr. SPEAKER: This is hypothetical.

Mr. THURTLE: Do I understand that Sir Charles Harington denies the accuracy of the report in the "Daily Telegraph"?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS: I have not called his special attention to that particular report, because I did not know of it, but Sir Charles Harington informs me that he expressed no such view as that attributed to him in this question.

BRITISH FORCES

Mr. JONES: 46.
also asked the Prime Minister what naval or marine, military, and Air Force units have been drafted to China and Hong Kong in the past two months, and for what purpose?

The PRIME MINISTER: In regard to Naval and Air Forces, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty on the 1st and 8th December in reply to questions by my hon. Friend the
Member for South-East Essex (Mr. Looker) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hertford (Rear-Admiral Sueter). These forces have been sent to the Far East in order to ensure as far as possible the effective protection of British subjects in China.
As far as military units are concerned, one heavy battery, Royal Artillery, and one battalion of Infantry have moved to Hong Kong during the past two months, but these moves were in the normal process of relief of similar units which have moved elsewhere.

Oral Answers to Questions — INTERNATIONAL MERCANTILE MARINE COMPANY.

Viscount SANDON: 48.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has examined the contract with the International Mercantile Marine Company with regard to the question whether he has powers under it to prevent the transference of the Leyland or other British lines to the United States flag, and what action he proposes to take?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister): Clause 3 of the Agreement with the International Mercantile Marine Company of 1st August, 1903, printed on page 4 of Parliamentary Paper Cd. 1704 of 1903, provides that
No British ship in the association, nor any ship which may hereafter be built or otherwise acquired for any British company included in the association, shall be transferred to a foreign registry (without the written consent of the President of the Board of Trade, which shall not be unreasonably withheld), nor be nor remain upon a foreign registry. Nothing shall be otherwise done whereby any such ship would lose its British registry or its right to fly the British flag.
No application has been made for permission to transfer any of the lines in the Association to a foreign flag.

Oral Answers to Questions — STEAMSHIP "EASTWAY" (LOSS OFF BERMUDA).

Mr. HAYES: 49.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been specially called to the heroism of certain members of the crew of the steam-
ship "Eastway," which foundered in -a hurricane off Bermuda, when the wireless operator remained at his post sending out S.O.S. messages until the ship sank, and the engineers and firemen refused to overload the remaining lifeboat and went down with the ship rather than endanger the lives of their comrades; and whether it is proposed to make any posthumous awards for gallantry or in any other way suitably to recognise the bravery of these members of the mercantile marine?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER: The circumstances of the case will be fully investigated at the inquiry which has been ordered into the loss of the "Eastway," and when the report of the court of inquiry is available, I shall be in a position to consider whether the services of any member of the crew are such as to merit special recognition.

Oral Answers to Questions — TRADE BALANCE, 1925.

Sir FREDRIC WISE: 50.
asked the President of the Board of Trade if fuller information tends to confirm the estimate of £28,000,000 for the balance of trade of Britain for 1925?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER: The £28,000,000 was a tentative estimate of our -income in 1925 available for investment overseas. My hon. Friend will remember that I have on several occasions ventured to express the opinion that this was a very conservative estimate. This view has been confirmed by further information, and the estimate will be revised when the preliminary figures for 1926 are being considered.

Oral Answers to Questions — ZEISS PLANETARIUM.

Mr. W. BAKER: 51.
asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the planetarium invented by the firm of Zeiss which has been erected by the Dusseldorf Corporation; and whether, as the firm declines to supply these structures to anyone proposing to make a profit, and having regard to educational possibilities and the poverty of educational authorities, he will consider the purchase for educational purposes of at least one example of this invention?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Duchess of Atholl): The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the Board of Education have, my right hon. Friend believes, no power under the Education Act, 1921, to make a purchase of this kind.

Mr. BAKER: Is it not remarkable that the Governments of defeated Powers are the only Governments which are able to keep abreast of the times?

Oral Answers to Questions — LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL TRAMCARS.

Mr. DALTON: 53.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police, in licensing London County Council tramcars, satisfy themselves that the tramcars have been properly renovated and overhauled; whether any such tramcars are now running which have not been examined by the police for more, than 12 months; and whether he is aware that certain tramcars now running are in such a state of disrepair as to constitute a danger to the travelling public?

Captain HACKING: The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second and third in the negative. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that no tramcars are running in the condition suggested.

Mr. DALTON: Do I understand that the police every 12 months satisfy themselves that every ear is in a proper condition from the point of view of the safety of the public?

Captain HACKING: The hon. Member asks whether any such tramcars are now running which have not been examined by the police for more than 12 months. The answer is in the negative. They have been so examined.

Sir H. BRITTAIN: Is not the last part of the question a very grave reflection on such a body as the London County Council?

Captain HACKING: That is, of course, a matter of opinion.

Sir F. HALL: It is not true, is it?

Captain HACKING: Certainly not.

Mr. DALTON: In view of the challenge from the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall), would the Under-Secretary be prepared to see some information which I have in my possession with a view to the further investigation of this matter?

Captain HACKING: I am always quite willing to receive any information which may be in the possession of the hon. Member.

Sir GEORGE HUME: I should like to challenge the statement in the question.

Oral Answers to Questions — LOTTERY ACTS.

Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COCKE: 54.
asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the increasing difficulty of maintaining hospitals and other charitable institutions, he will consider so amending the Lottery Acts as to make it possible for this method of obtaining funds to be utilised, subject to official sanction, for the collection of money to be used exclusively for such undertakings without the management incurring the risk of a prosecution for acting contrary to law?

Captain HACKING: I am afraid my right hon. Friend would not undertake to introduce legislation of the kind suggested. Apart from other considerations, he could not propose to cast upon any Department or official the duty of giving or withholding sanction.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE: Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, under present conditions, some are taken and others left?

Captain HACKING: As far as we are concerned, we treat everybody alike.

Oral Answers to Questions — MILK (IMPORTATION FROM IRISH FREE STATE).

Colonel HOWARD-BURY: 52.
asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of milk that is being imported from the Irish Free State; and whether this amount has increased since the new Milk and Dairies Order?

Sir K. WOOD: I have been asked to reply, and I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which was
given to the hon. Member for Nottingham Central (Mr. Bennett) on Monday last.

Oral Answers to Questions — EMPIRE SUGAR (CUSTOMS DRAWBACK).

Mr. H. WILLIAMS: 55.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make any announcement with regard to the Customs drawback on goods containing Empire sugar?

Mr. McNEILL: I regret that I am not in a position to add anything to my right hon. Friend's reply of the 2nd December. An answer to the representations which have been made on this subject will be sent at the earliest possible moment.

Oral Answers to Questions — FOREIGN FILMS (TAXATION).

Lieut. - Colonel HOWARD - BURY: 56.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can see his way to tax the £5,000,000 paid to owners of foreign films who at present escape all taxation, and bring these sums into line with the tax on royalties paid to foreign patent owners, where the licensee of the patent who pays the royalty is authorised to deduct from the royalty the amount of the tax assessable upon it?

Mr. McNEILL: My right hon. Friend is unable to anticipate the Budget statement.

Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURY: Can my right hon. Friend see that it will be a tactful measure and one pleasing to the United States if such money derived from this source could go towards the repayment of the American Debt?

Mr. McNEILL: That is a matter which might be considered by my right hon. Friend.

Colonel DAY: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the £5,000,000 stated in the question is even a lesser sum than that which goes to the United States in this way?

Oral Answers to Questions — TRADE FACILITIES ACT.

Sir F. WISE: 57.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if all the firms who have
received guarantees under the Trade Facilities Act have paid the interest and sinking fund on their guarantees; and, if not, which are the firms that have had to have the assistance of the taxpayer?

Mr. McNEILL: The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The total losses sustained to 31st October last were £29,174 4s. 11d. on guarantees amounting to £68,950,780. I do not think it is desirable to give details of the cases in default.

Mr. TAYLOR: Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether those losses are losses arising from the default of British firms, or do they also include losses arising from the default of foreign firms?

Mr. McNEILL: I could not answer that question without notice, but I think I have already answered it in the House on a previous occasion.

Oral Answers to Questions — COAL MINING INDUSTRY.

SOUTH WALES (MINES RE-STARTED).

Captain A. EVANS: 43.
asked the Secretary for Mines the number of mines which have re-started in the South Wales area and the number of men they now employ, together with the corresponding figures for April last; and whether he has any statistics showing the comparative output now, as compared with the period specified?

The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox): At the 4th December, 1926, the latest date for which information is available, 443 mines in South Wales had restarted, and 107,400 persons were employed. At the end of April last 461, employing 215,700 persons, were at work. As work was only in process of being resumed in South Wales during the week ended 4th December, it is not possible to give figures of output which are comparable with those in April.

Mr. MARDY JONES: Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many miners have been refused employment when work has been available?

Colonel LANE FOX: That does not arise on this question.

SHAFT ACCIDENT, WILLIAMTHORPE COLLIERY.

Mr. TAYLOR (for Mr. PALING): 44.
asked the Secretary for Mines if his attention has been drawn to a colliery shaft accident which occurred at William-thorpe Colliery, near Chesterfield, a few days ago, and in which eight men were injured; and whether his Department have submitted to a practical test any of the various safety devices brought to their notice and which it is claimed would prevent such accidents?

Colonel LANE FOX: This accident has been fully investigated, and the possibilities of preventive measures are being explored. The accident was due to the cage being lowered, when it dashed into the bottom, instead of being raised. There was no breakage of the winding-rope, and the devices planned to deal with that contingency do not apply to this accident.

Mr. TAYLOR: May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Ross Patent Safety Device for Colliery Cages has been submitted to him for examination, and, if so, what were the results of the examination?

Mr. SPEAKER: The Minister ought to have notice of that question.

DOMESTIC SUPPLIES.

Mr. BARNES: (by Private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that there is at present a grave shortage of domestic supplies of coal throughout the country, and that delays of 12 to 14 days are being experienced in transport of supplies from the pithead to merchants with consequent dislocation of business due to fluctuating prices; whether this delay is not due to the shortage of railway trucks caused by the movement of foreign coal at the expense of British supplies; and whether, in consequence, he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs which will lead to large numbers of domestic consumers of coal being without supplies at Christmas?

Colonel LANE FOX: My information does not bear out the hon. Member's suggestion about a shortage of domestic coal. If he is aware of a shortage in any locality, I shall be glad to look into it, if he will give me particulars. As regards
the rest of the question, I am aware that the railways are at present finding some difficulty in the transport of coal, and that their difficulty is increased by the arrival of foreign coal ordered before the stoppage ended. But I do not understand in what respects he suggests that it is within my power to remedy this. Government importation of coal ceased some time ago.

Sir H. COWAN: The right hon. Gentleman says he will be glad to look into any case of a shortage of coal. In my district in North Islington the shortage is very great indeed, and only yesterday I made representations on the subject to the Minister of Transport, who, I believe, is the Minister concerned.

Mr. B. PETO: Arising out of the latter part of the reply, in the event of the Government having made a profit by the purchase of foreign coal, would it not be better to apply some portion of the profit to cancelling unexecuted orders for foreign coal, which are now congesting our railways, and preventing miners continuing in work?

Colonel LANE FOX: I can assure my hon. Friend that all powers of cancellation have been carried out by the Government, and also by private importers. As regards the other part of the question, if he will give me particulars, I will look into it and see what can be done.

Mr. BARNES: I understood the Secretary for Mines to say that he had no power in this matter. If that be the case, is there any possibility of improvement if we give him direct and definite information about the shortage?

Colonel LANE FOX: No, Sir; what I said was that I had no powers to deal with the difficulty of the shortage of railway wagons, due to the importation of foreign coal as mentioned in the question. I do not know how I can affect that.

Mr. HARRIS: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that not a sack of coal is obtainable in Bethnal Green from any of the coal merchants?

Colonel LANE FOX: My information does not exactly tally with what the hon. Gentleman says, but I will certainly inquire to see whether his statement is correct.

Mr. BATEY: Are we to understand that foreign coal is being imported into this country, and can the Minister tell us how much is being imported per week?

Colonel LANE FOX: No, Sir, not, offhand. Of course, there are certain contracts that have been made in the past by private importers, by railways and so on, under which deliveries are still being made, and that will go on for a short time.

Mr. BATEY: Can the Secretary for Mines say whether the Government are selling the coal that is being imported at a loss, in order to compete with British coal?

Colonel LANE FOX: I have already said—and if the hon. Gentleman had listened to my answers he would have heard—that Government importation ceased some time ago.

Mr. HARRIS: (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that in the Bethnal Green area there is no domestic coal available of any kind, and whether he will make arrangements with the railway companies to give priority to domestic coal until the immediate demands are satisfied?

Colonel ASHLEY: I was not aware of the fact stated in the hon. Member's question. I will communicate with the railway company.

Oral Answers to Questions — BRITISH MUSEUM (SUNDAY OPENING).

Mr. TREVELYAN: 58.
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that this last Sunday the British Museum was not. opened b the public because there was some fog in the afternoon; who decides whether the Museum shall be opened or not; how often in the last few years the Museum has not been opened on Sunday for that reason; and whether arrangements can me made in future for the proper lighting of the Museum on Sundays so that the public need not have to suffer from occasional exclusion?

Mr. McNEILL: The answers to the first three parts of the question are as follows: It is the fact that the Museum was not opened on the afternoon of Sunday, December 12th, on account of
fog. The decision to close in such circumstances rests with the resident keeper on duty. The Museum has been closed on account of fog five times in the course of the six years that have elapsed since the resumption of Sunday opening. As regards the fourth part of the question, I am not prepared, in order to meet such rare contingencies, to incur the considerable increase of expense which would be involved by the employment of additional Sunday labour.

Mr. TREVELYAN: May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the fog was not very serious on Sunday afternoon, and that large numbers of the public must have gone there expecting admission?

Mr. McNEILL: It is a question of degree—of comparison. I do not know how thick the fog was.

Mr. TREVELYAN: May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman knows what the additional cost would be of carrying out the suggestion in the question?

Mr. McNEILL: Of course, the right hon. Gentleman must see that it would be necessary to have the extra staff there invariably. You cannot get them at a moment's notice by telephone; you must have them there all the time. It would mean something like doubling the present staff.

Oral Answers to Questions — CROSS-RIVER TRAFFIC, LONDON.

Mr. B. PETO (for Colonel VAUGHAN - MORGAN): 33.
asked the Minister of Transport what steps he proposes to take to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Cross-River Traffic in London; and whether he is prepared to receive a deputation representative of the localities concerned?

Colonel ASHLEY: The Report of the Royal Commission on Cross-River Traffic in London raises issues of the greatest importance. The Government are considering very carefully the recommendations contained in the Report.

Mr. PETO: May I ask for a reply to the latter part of my question—whether he is prepared to receive a, deputation representative of the localities concerned?

Colonel ASHLEY: No: I think a deputation would be. premature. The Government must consider this important question before they receive a deputation.

Oral Answers to Questions — INDIA OFFICE (MINISTER IN CHARGE).

Mr. THURTLE: (by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he can state who will be in charge of the India Office in the absence of the Secretary of State for India in Madeira and of the Under-Secretary of State and the Parliamentary Private Secretary in India?

The PRIME MINISTER: The Secretary of State for Scotland (Sir J. Gilmour) will be in charge of the India Office during the short absence of my Noble Friend (the Earl of Birkenhead).

Mr. STEPHEN: May I ask the Prime Minister who will be looking after the affairs of Scotland while the Secretary of State for Scotland is looking after the affairs of India?

The PRIME MINISTER: I do hope that in Scotland they can look after themselves over the New Year.

Oral Answers to Questions — VOTE OF CENSURE (PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH).

Mr. J. HUDSON: (by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he authorised the alteration in the OFFICIAL REPORT of his statement in the Vote of Censure Debate, on the 8th December, that in certain eventualities the Leader of the Opposition would have had with him a large number of the Members of Parliament who are now with the Prime Minister.

The PRIME MINISTER: Until my attention was drawn to it by the hon. Member, I had not seen any report of my speech either in the OFFICIAL REPORT or in the Press.

Mr. HUDSON: May I then take it that the report which appeared in the "Times," that "a large number of those who are now with me" may be used by us as correctly expressing the Prime Minister's view at the time he spoke in the House of Commons, and made a gesture?

Mr. SPEAKER: This is a question of a newspaper report. 1 do not think we can touch the report of the "Times" or any other newspaper.

Mr. HUDSON: Might I ask the Prime Minister whether he will complain if we use reports of his speech other than the OFFICIAL REPORT, which, in our judgment and recollection, does not represent actually what he said.

Oral Answers to Questions — PARLIAMENT (TITLE).

Mr. HUGH O'NEILL: (by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether, in connection with the proposal-to amend the King's Title, consideration has also been given to the question of amending the title of Parliament?

The PRIME MINISTER: Yes, Sir; the point has been considered, and when legislation is introduced next Session to enable the contemplated change in the King's Title to be effected, the Government will take the opportunity of proposing that the title of Parliament should in future be "The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."

Sir JOHN MARRIOTT: May I ask my right hon. Friend if the same style and title will apply to His Majesty the King as to Parliament?

The PRIME MINISTER: I should not like to give an answer to that question without notice.

Oral Answers to Questions — BURGH POLICE (SCOTLAND) BILL,

"to amend the Burgh Police (Scotland) Acts, 1892 to 1911, the Town Councils (Scotland) Acts,)900 to 1923, and the Law relating to the administration of Burghs in Scotland," presented by Sir JOHN GILMOUR, supported by the Lord Advocate, the Solicitor-General for Scotland, and Major Elliot: to he read a Second time To-morrow, and to he printed. [Bill 215.]

Oral Answers to Questions — TRAMWAYS AND LIGHT RAILWAYS (STREET AND ROAD) AND TRACKLESS TROFLEY UNDERTAKINGS.

Order [14th December] for a Return relative thereto read, and discharged.—[Colonel Ashley.]

Oral Answers to Questions — MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS.

That they have agreed to,

Amendments to,

Legitimacy Bill [Lords],

Sale of Food (Weights and Measures)

Bill [Lords], without Amendment.

Electricity (Supply) Bill,

That they do not insist on their Amendments to the Electricity (Supply) Bill to which the Commons have disagreed.

That they agree to the Amendments made by the Commons to one of their Amendments, and to the Amendments made by the Commons to the Bill in lieu of certain other of their Amendments, without Amendment.

Oral Answers to Questions — MONEYLENDERS BILL.

Minutes of the Proceedings of Standing Committee A on the Bill; to be printed. [No. 166.]

Oral Answers to Questions — CONSOLIDATION BILLS.

Special Report from the Joint Committee in respect of the Poor Law Bill [Lords] (pending in the Lords), brought up, and read; Report to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 167]

Orders of the Day — MERCHANDISE MARKS (IMPORTED GOODS) BILL.

Order for Consideration of Lords Amendments read.

Motion made, and Question, "That the Lords Amendments be now considered," put, and agreed to.—[Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister.]

Lords Amendments considered accordingly.

CLAUSE 1.—(Imported goods bearing name or trade mark of British manufacturer or trailer not to be sold unless accompanied by indication of origin.)

Lords Amendment:

In page 1, line 7, leave out "distribute by way of advertisement," and insert, "by way of advertising goods of some other kind distribute."

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister): I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
The object of this Amendment is to make sure that samples of goods which it is proposed to sell later are not included.

Mr. BASIL PETO: I would like the President of the Board of Trade to elaborate what he has said. It certainly seems to me that these are very limiting words. We ought not to agree to this Lords Amendment, because to leave out the words "distribute by way of advertisement" in order to insert "by way of advertising goods of some other kind" would seem to leave out what it was part of the purpose of the Bill to prohibit.

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER: I can assure my hon. Friend that the words as printed in another place exactly express what was the intention of this House. There are cases where a firm of distillers, say, may send out matchboxes and so forth, and if the words had stood as they were when the Bill left this House, it
might possibly be contended in a Court of law that this Clause also applied to an ordinary trader sending out samples of his own goods. The words put in in another place make it quite clear what was intended.

Captain WEDGWOOD BENN: A printer sending out advertisements of his publications could send out foreign printed matter to advertise his own goods, or a man making an article might take a similar article of foreign manufacture and use it as an advertisement. I am glad to sec that the Lords have made a considerable widening in the much too restricted terms of the Clause.

Question put, and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords Amendments down to page 7, line 26, agreed to.

CLAUSE 5. —(Offences.)

Lords Amendment:

In page 8, lines 5 and 6, leave Jut "draft of the Order is laid before Parliament" and insert "Order was made."

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
This is a point of substance. It was represented, and I think with reason, that the period of time allowed in the case of advertisements in the course of preparation was inadequate. This Amendment gives the date when the Order is made, which is not less than 20 Parliamentary days after the Order has been laid. I think it is a not unreasonable compromise, and I ask the House to accept it.

Mr. HARRIS: We are truly grateful for this concession, for which, on this side of the House, we fought right through the Committee and the Report stage.

Captain BENN: In connection with this Amendment, I would like to remind the President of the Board of Trade of the extremely convincing argument which carried with him the whole mass of the Conservative party, and proved that this Amendment was necessary.

Question put, and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords Amendments down to page 12, line 15, agreed to.

CLAUSE 10.—(Interpretation.)

Lords Amendment:

In page 12, line 16, at the end, insert:
Provided that, in the case of goods produced or manufactured in the United Kingdom which have undergone in any particular country abroad any treatment or process resulting in a substantial change in the goods, the indication of origin may at the option of the person applying it be given either by using in conjunction with the word 'foreign' or the word 'Empire,' as the case requires, words descriptive of that treatment or process or by a definite indication that the treatment or process was undergone in that particular country.

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
I think this is quite a reasonable provision. It is to the effect that, if after their manufacture, there has been any treatment or process abroad resulting in a substantial change in the goods, the indication of origin may, at the option of the person applying it, be given in conjunction with the word "foreign," by using words descriptive of the process, or the word "Empire," as the case may be.

Mr. HARRIS: Apparently this is a concession as a result of the outcry of public opinion on this point—

Sir P. CUNLIFFE - LISTER: I promised this Amendment when the Bill was before the House.

Mr. HARRIS: That may be so, but the concession has been made as the result of a general outcry, because it was found that a substantial injury to trade was going to be the result in the case of the textile trades of Lancashire and Yorkshire. I am still very doubtful as to the value of this concession, and, after all, it is only a paper concession. Is it likely that a textile manufacturer is going in for a long lecture on the method of construction and processes which have been gone through in various countries? That would only mean giving an advertisement to that particular process; it would not help the sale of the article in question. A man will not be likely to buy velveteen which has two or three sentences of description upon it.
A trader will not be compelled to put on this description, but I am sure if he does he will interfere with the sale of the article. Although apparently this seems to be a concession I doubt whether it
will have any commercial value, and I do not think it will protect Lancashire very much from this interference with the Lancashire trade. At the present moment Lancashire is going through a very bad time indeed, and December will probably be the worst month for that county. Notwithstanding this the only message of hope which comes from the President of the Board of Trade is that in future, in regard to goods dyed abroad, they will have a long rigmarofe of descriptions to go through. I do not think this will help industry, and if this is the way in which the President of the Board of Trade expects to give assistance to British industries, then I am afraid there is very little hope for British trade being helped at all.

Captain BENN: Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted any of the Lancashire interests as to whether this meets the case raised by them in connection with trade in the East?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER: I do not think that point matters very much in this connection, but we have tried to meet the desires of those who spoke for the trade. The Bill will not be operative if the objections are serious.

Captain BENN: I think this is precisely the type of legislation to which this House ought to take exception The other day the Lord Chief Justice drew attention in a recent speech to this class of legislation, and he said too much power was being left to Government Departments. We had the other day an amusing appeal case because an Order in Council had not been made under the terms of an Act. I maintain that the answer given by the right hon. Gentleman is very unsatisfactory. Practically he says: "There may be objections to this proposal, but I may tell you that the Bill will not become operative if those objections are serious." That is not a proper attitude to take up on this question, and I suggest that he should find words which would really meet this very serious difficulty, or else drop this part of the proposal altogether. No one will deny that in the case of dyed goods it would be very hard for Lancashire if throughout the East dyed goods were distributed with the words upon them, "Dyed in Germany." That must necessarily have the
result of diverting trade from this country to Germany. I think this is a very unsatisfactory way of dealing with a matter of such importance.

Question put, and agreed to.

Remaining Lords Amendments agreed to.

Orders of the Day — HOUSING (RURAL WORKERS) BILL.

Order for consideration of Lords Amendments read.

Motion made, and Question, "That the Lords Amendments be now considered," put, and agreed to.—[Mr. Neville Chamberlain.]

Lords Amendments considered accordingly.

CLAUSE 2.—(Power of local authorities to make grants or loans.)

Lords Amendment:

In line 27, at the end, insert:
Provided that—

(i) where loans are to be made to the same person in respect of two or more dwellings, those loans may, if it is so agreed between that person and the local authority, be secured by a single mortgage charged on all the dwellings jointly, and where two or more loans are so secured this Sub-section shall have effect as if the several loans constituted a single loan and as if the expression 'the dwelling' included a reference to the several dwellings in respect of which the loans are made; and
(ii) if so agreed as aforesaid, a loan may be secured on lands of which the site of the dwelling in respect of which the loan is being made forms part, but nothing in this provision shall authorise the local authority to lend more than the sum which they would have been authorised to lend had the loan been secured only on the dwelling."

The MINISTER of HEALTH (Mr. Chamberlain): I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
The Amendment is divided into two parts. The first part arises out of a point which was raised in Committee upstairs, and is designed to enable the owner who is applying in respect of more than one dwelling to offer a single mortgage, instead of a number of mortgages. The second part follows the practice in Scotland, and allows land which is not part of the curtilage of the dwelling to be brought in as additional security for the local authority.

Question put, and agreed to.

CLAUSE 3. — (Conditions attaching to dwellings in respect of which assistance has been given by way of grant.)

Lords Amendment:

In page 7, line 3, at the end, insert
and any tenant of the dwelling shall, on being so required in writing by the owner, furnish to him such information as he may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling him to comply with this condition;

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
This Amendment also confirms an undertaking which I gave in Committee, Without this Amendment, it would be impossible, where there is a sub-tenant, for the owner to get the information which is necessary to enable him to give the local authority the certificate required by the paragraph.

Question put, and agreed to.

Remaining Lords Amendment agreed to.

Orders of the Day — JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS (REGULATION OF REPORTS) BILL.

Order for Consideration of Lords Amendments read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Lords Amendments be now considered."—(Major Kindersley).

Captain BENN: Would I be in order in calling attention to the very hurried procedure which has been adopted in connection with this Bill and which has called for special comment in another place?

Mr. SPEAKER: No, the hon. and gallant Member must wait for his elevation to another place.

Question put, and agreed to.

Lords Amendments considered accordingly.

CLAUSE 1.—(Restriction, on publication of reports of judicial proceedings.)

Lords Amendment:

In page 2, line 21, at the end, insert
printing of any pleading, transcript of evidence or other document for use in connection with any judicial proceedings or the communication thereof to persons concerned in the proceedings, or to the printing or.

Major KINDERSLEY: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
This is little more than a drafting Amendment. It was felt that the Clause as it stood would not protect the printer who printed the pleadings and other documents in connection with the proceedings, and that he might be liable for a technical offence. Therefore, the Home Office asked that this Amendment might be inserted in another place.

Question put, and agreed to.

Remaining Lords Amendment agreed to.

Orders of the Day — BETTING OVERSEAS (PROHIBITION) BILL.

Order for Second Reading read, and discharged; Bill withdrawn.

The remaining Government Orders were read and postponed.

Mr. SPEAKER: A Royal Commission is appointed for half-past Two o'Clock, and I will leave the Chair until that hour, unless a message be received earlier requiring the attention of the House to any further Lords Amendments. But in any case I will cause the bells to be rung.

Sitting suspended at Thirteen Minutes after One o'Clock.

Mr. SPEAKER resumed the Chair at Twenty-five Minutes after Two o'Clock.

Orders of the Day — ROYAL ASSENT.

Message to attend the Lords Commissioners.

The House went, and, having returned,

Mr. SPEAKER: (standing in the Clerk,' place at the Table): I have to acquaint the House that the House has been to the House of Peers, where a Commission under the Great Seal was read, authorising the Royal Assent to

1. Industrial Assurance (Juvenile Societies) Act, 1926.
2. Parks Regulation (Amendment) Act, 1926.
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3. Lead Paint (Protection against Poisoning) Act, 1926.
4. Local Government (County Boroughs and Adjustments) Act, 1926.
5. Horticultural Produce (Sales on Commission) Act, 1926.
6. Indian and Colonial Divorce Jurisdiction Act, 1926.
7. Naval Reserve (Officers) Act, 1926.
8. Workmen's Compensation Act, 1926.
9. Public Health (Smoke Abatement) Act, 1926.
10. Supreme Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland Act, 1926.
11. Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926.
12. University of London Act, 1926.
13. Rating (Scotland) Act, 1926.
14. Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1926.
15. Expiring Laws Continuance Act, 1926.
16. Burgh Registers (Scotland) Act, 1926.
17. Electricity (Supply) Act, 1926.
18. Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1926.
19. Merchandise Marks Act, 1926.
20. Wireless Telegraphy (Blind Persons Facilities) Act, 1926.
21. Roman Catholic Relief Act, 1926.
22. Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926.
23. Prisons (Scotland) Act, 1926.
24. Penal Servitude Act, 1926.
25. Coroners (Amendment) Act, 1926.
26. Legitimacy Act, 1926.
27. Judicial Proceedings (Regulation of Reports) Act, 1926.
28. Palestine and East Africa Loans Act, 1926.
29. Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Act, 1926.
30. Perth Corporation Water Order Confirmation Act, 1926.
31. Stornoway Harbour Order Confirmation Act, 1926.
32. Forth and Clyde Navigation (Castlecary and Kirkintilloch Road Bridges) Order Confirmation Act, 1926.
33. Glasgow Goldsmiths Company Order Confirmation Act, 1926.
34. Barnet District Gas and Water Act, 1926.
And to the following Measures passed under the Provisions of the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919:

1. Episcopal Pensions Measure, 1926.
2. Benefices (Ecclesiastical Duties) Measure, 1926.

Orders of the Day — PROROGATION.

HIS MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH.

Mr. SPEAKER: I have further to acquaint the House that the Lord High Chancellor, being one of the High Commissioners, delivered His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of His Majesty's Command, as followeth:

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,

I have had great pleasure in acceding to the wishes of My Ministers in the Commonwealth of Australia that My Son and Daughter-in-Law should visit Australia for the inauguration of the new Federal Capital at Canberra. They will extend their visit to New Zealand at the invitation of My Ministers in that Dominion, and in the course of their journeys will also be able to see several of the Colonies. The occasion of thus Personally renewing the ties of affection which unite My Family with the peoples of the different parts of the Empire will, I know, be as welcome to the Duke and Duchess of York to-day as it was to the Queen and Myself more than twenty-five years ago.

I have rejoiced at the opportunity given by the recent meeting of the Imperial Conference to welcome in London so many of My Ministers from the Dominions, and the Representatives of the Empire of India. The report of the proceedings of the Conference, which has recently been presented to you, bears eloquent testimony to the spirit of good will and mutual understanding which marked its deliberations. I am confident that its work will prove of lasting value to all parts of My Empire.

The situation in China is being watched by My Government with the closest attention. Our Country is animated by strong sympathy for that vast majority of the Chinese people whose aspirations are for settled conditions, for a new era of prosperity and
for friendly relations with the foreign Powers.

Members of the House of Commons,

I thank you for the provision you have made for the public service.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,

During the greater part of the present year the Nation has lived in the shadow of the most protracted and ruinous industrial conflict in its history. When last addressing you I expressed the earnest hope that the Report of the Commissioners upon the economic condition of the coal industry would, with the willing co-operation of all concerned, pave the way to a. peaceful solution of this great social and economic problem. This hope was not fulfilled. It remains to us now to unite in effacing all bitter memories of the past, and to set our eyes steadfastly upon the future, inspired by a common impulse towards genuine fellowship and sustained endeavour, upon which alone the prosperity and happiness of My People can be firmly based.

The improvement in housing accommodation continues. A larger number of new houses have been completed than in any previous year. In order to make available to rural workers further and better accommodation at rents adapted to their means Parliament has provided from public moneys grants for the reconstruction of existing houses and buildings in rural areas.

By the passing of the Electricity (Supply) Bill an important and overdue step has been taken towards extending the provision of electrical energy throughout Great Britain.

I have given assent to a measure to provide in suitable cases for marking imported agricultural produce and manufactured goods with an indication of origin. This measure will enable the purchasing community to give a preference to goods and produce of this country and of other parts of the Empire.

A Bill has also been passed for preventing short weight and measure in the retail sale of foodstuffs.

Bills have also been passed to unify and simplify the rating system of Scotland and to extend the right of appeal in criminal cases in Scotland.

A number of Bills relating to the agricultural industry have received My assent, including a measure to extend facilities for small and cottage holdings.

It is My earnest prayer that the blessing of the Almighty may rest upon all your past and coming labours.

Then a Commission for Proroguing the Parliament was read in the House of Lords.

After which The LORD CHANCELLOR said:

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS,—By virtue of His Majesty's Commission under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's Name and in obedience to His Majesty's Commands, Prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday, the Eighth day of February, One thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly Prorogued until Tuesday, the Eighth day of February, One thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven.

End of the Second Session (opened Tuesday, 2nd February, 1926) of the Thirty-fourth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in the Seventeenth year of the Reign of His Majesty King George the Fifth.